--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we think in term of months, we had…" description: "\"“If we think in term of months, we had probably focus on immediate problems such as the turmoil in the Middle East, the refugee crisis in Europe and th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/yuval-noah-harari-100_biology_if-we-think-in-term-of-months-we-had-pro_2780127.jpg" --- # If we think in term of months, we had probably focus on… ![“If we think in term of months, we had probably focus on immediate problems such as the turmoil in the Middle East, the refugee crisis in Europe and the slowing of the Chinese economy. If we think in terms of decades, then global warming, growing inequality and the disruption of the job market loom…” quote by Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/yuval-noah-harari-100_biology_if-we-think-in-term-of-months-we-had-pro_2780127.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/yuval-noah-harari-100_biology_if-we-think-in-term-of-months-we-had-pro_2780127.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/yuval-noah-harari-100_biology_if-we-think-in-term-of-months-we-had-pro_2780127.jpg) > ““If we think in term of months, we had probably focus on immediate problems such as the turmoil in the Middle East, the refugee crisis in Europe and the slowing of the Chinese economy. If we think in terms of decades, then global warming, growing inequality and the disruption of the job market loom large. Yet if we take the really grand view of life, all other problems and developments are overshadowed by three interlinked processes: 1.​Science is converging on an all-encompassing dogma, which says that organisms are algorithms and life is data processing. 2.​Intelligence is decoupling from consciousness. 3.​Non-conscious but highly intelligent algorithms may soon know us better than we know ourselves. These three processes raise three key questions, which I hope will stick in your mind long after you have finished this book: 1.​Are organisms really just algorithms, and is life really just data processing? 2.​What’s more valuable – intelligence or consciousness? 3.​What will happen to society, politics and daily life when non-conscious but highly intelligent algorithms know us better than we know ourselves?”” [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote contrasts short‑term crises with long‑term existential shifts, emphasizing three emerging processes: algorithmic view of life, decoupling of intelligence from consciousness, and superior predictive algorithms. **In simple terms:** Short‑term problems differ from deep, structural changes driven by technology and philosophy. Key Takeaway Consider how technology reshapes identity and society. Themes technology philosophy future studies ethics societal change Mood thoughtful concerned inquisitive Type analytical philosophical speculative When to use this quote - policy planning - education reform - personal development - ethical governance Key Concepts algorithmic determinism consciousness artificial intelligence data processing human identity Questions to Reflect On - How will we balance technological power with human values? - What safeguards are needed for algorithmic influence? A Different Perspective The claim that life is data processing may oversimplify biological complexity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Algorithms Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/algorithms-life-1254556/) [Biology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biology/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Consciousness Happen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness-happen-1884888/) [Daily life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daily-life/) [Decoupling Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decoupling-consciousness-1254557/) [Global warming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/global-warming/) [Highly intelligent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/highly-intelligent/) [Intelligence Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence-consciousness-1254554/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Middle east](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/middle-east/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Refugee crisis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/refugee-crisis/) [View of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/view-of-life/) ## Related quotes > [“1.​Science is converging on an all-encompassing dogma, which says that organisms are algorithms and life is data processing. 2.​Intelligence is decoupling from consciousness. 3.​Non-conscious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuval-noah-harari/1-science-is-converging-on-an-all-encompassing-dogma-which-says-that/) [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) > [“1. 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